Help Wanted Now!

It is not easy for us to imagine someone who was a king, especially King David, who had everything he wanted, and every problem solved every day of his life. But that image is incorrect according to Psalm 141. David appears to be in trouble.

Hear his cry: “O, Lord, I call to You, come quickly to me; hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before You like incense.”

David was not hesitant to request and receive an immediate audience with God. “I call to You...so...hear my voice.” There was no doubt about God’s availability or that someone would be ahead of him for one reason or another waiting for an audience with God. God is always available to hear our voice and attend to our needs whenever we call on Him at any time from anyplace.

David also knew that there was nothing or no one that could stop God from helping him. “Come quickly to me.” No doubt he had gone to others for help, and they were either unable or unwilling to help him. His situation was critical, and he needed God’s assistance immediately. He had turned to others with no results. Now it was time for him to turn to God.

David was also aware of God’s acceptance of him and his needs. “May my prayer be set before You.” He did not doubt that God was there for him. He was not afraid that his concerns would embarrass God or surprise God or be of no interest to God or be beyond God’s power. He knew that whatever he needed would get God’s attention!

Prayer: How blest we are, Father, to know that we all have equal standing before You and every need is acceptable. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:1, 2 O, Lord, I call to You, come quickly to me; hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before You like incense.

Help Wanted Now!

It is not easy for us to imagine someone who was a king, especially King David, who had everything he wanted, and every problem solved every day of his life. But that image is incorrect according to Psalm 141. David appears to be in trouble.

Hear his cry: “O, Lord, I call to You, come quickly to me; hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before You like incense.”

David was not hesitant to request and receive an immediate audience with God. “I call to You...so...hear my voice.” There was no doubt about God’s availability or that someone would be ahead of him for one reason or another waiting for an audience with God. God is always available to hear our voice and attend to our needs whenever we call on Him at any time from anyplace.

David also knew that there was nothing or no one that could stop God from helping him. “Come quickly to me.” No doubt he had gone to others for help, and they were either unable or unwilling to help him. His situation was critical, and he needed God’s assistance immediately. He had turned to others with no results. Now it was time for him to turn to God.

David was also aware of God’s acceptance of him and his needs. “May my prayer be set before You.” He did not doubt that God was there for him. He was not afraid that his concerns would embarrass God or surprise God or be of no interest to God or be beyond God’s power. He knew that whatever he needed would get God’s attention!

Prayer: How blest we are, Father, to know that we all have equal standing before You and every need is acceptable. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:1, 2 O, Lord, I call to You, come quickly to me; hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before You like incense.

Open For Improvement

James had been working at his new job of delivering prescriptions for the local pharmacy. Feeling insecure, he called the pharmacist and asked, “I understand that you have a new delivery boy. How’s he doing?”

After a brief pause, the pharmacist responded, “Oh, yes. James. He’s doing great.” After another pause, the pharmacist asked, “You know, you sound just like him.” He thought for a moment and then asked, “James...is that you?”

“Yes, sir, it is. I was just wondering how I was doing,” came the answer.

David did the same thing. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

David went to God in a state of boldness and with a desire to honor the Lord. Whatever may have forced him to go to God with a desire to make things right with God does not matter to us personally. The fact that he did, however, does.

When I was twelve years old, my mother gave me a Christian Worker’s New Testament. Underneath my name she wrote one of her favorite quotes: “God’s Word will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from God’s Word.”

Over the years I have proven that statement to be true on more than one occasion. God gave us His Word to guard us, guide us and guarantee us safe passage through life’s journey to our home with Him in heaven.

If, when we read His Word, we compare our deeds and thoughts to His laws and standards and allow them to “search, know and test us,” His Word will do its work!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the “directions” in Your Word that instruct us on how we are to live to please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Open For Improvement

James had been working at his new job of delivering prescriptions for the local pharmacy. Feeling insecure, he called the pharmacist and asked, “I understand that you have a new delivery boy. How’s he doing?”

After a brief pause, the pharmacist responded, “Oh, yes. James. He’s doing great.” After another pause, the pharmacist asked, “You know, you sound just like him.” He thought for a moment and then asked, “James...is that you?”

“Yes, sir, it is. I was just wondering how I was doing,” came the answer.

David did the same thing. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

David went to God in a state of boldness and with a desire to honor the Lord. Whatever may have forced him to go to God with a desire to make things right with God does not matter to us personally. The fact that he did, however, does.

When I was twelve years old, my mother gave me a Christian Worker’s New Testament. Underneath my name she wrote one of her favorite quotes: “God’s Word will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from God’s Word.”

Over the years I have proven that statement to be true on more than one occasion. God gave us His Word to guard us, guide us and guarantee us safe passage through life’s journey to our home with Him in heaven.

If, when we read His Word, we compare our deeds and thoughts to His laws and standards and allow them to “search, know and test us,” His Word will do its work!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the “directions” in Your Word that instruct us on how we are to live to please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Asking God For A Favor

Some time ago a clergyman shouted with all of his might, “May God damn America!” Standing behind his pulpit, with his colorful clerical robe and embroidered stole, his rant and rage shocked many who saw him on television.

The longer I watched and wondered, the more his words confused and disturbed me. I could not help but think about the impact this would have on those who were in his congregation or watching him on television or read his words in newspapers and magazines. Surely some would be as disturbed as I was. But, there would be others who would agree with him and cheer for him.

Most often when we and others call on God, it is for a favor or something we cannot do. It could be for healing, a financial need, a loved one who has wandered from God, or insight or wisdom. Then there are others who call on God because they want Him to use His power to do things that are destructive - like “God, I hate America so much that I want You to use Your power to hurt the people I can’t.”

David spoke of them: “They speak of You with evil intent; Your adversaries misuse Your name.” We need to remind ourselves that God will only answer our prayers if our requests are consistent with His name or in keeping with His character. He is not available to hurt or harm His children or His creation or to satisfy our anger or do our “dirty work” or evil intentions.

God is always there, willing to hear our requests and answer them in the way that will bring honor and glory to Him. If we call on Him “with evil intent,” He will not hear us.

Prayer: Lord, grant us purity of heart and mind when we approach You in prayer. May our requests always honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:20 - They speak of You with evil intent; Your adversaries misuse Your name.